What happened
On 16 February 2005, a Bolkow BO 205C Junior, registration G-ATXZ, was performing a series of circuits at Tatenhill Aerodrome in Staffordshire. The pilot, who had recently acquired a share in the aircraft, was conducting a familiarisation flight to meet insurance requirements. Accompanying the pilot was a passenger who held a Private Pilot’s Licence and possessed significant experience on this specific aircraft type.
After completing three successful circuits, the aircraft began a fourth approach that was higher than the previous attempts. As the aircraft neared the runway, it encountered a period of sink. The aircraft subsequently made contact with the runway with the nose wheel first. This heavy impact caused the nose landing gear to collapse and the propeller to strike the ground. The aircraft slid approximately 100 metres along the runway before coming to a halt. There were no injuries to the two occupants.
The investigation
The investigation examined the pilot's recent flying history and the specific controls of the aircraft. It was noted that the pilot's recent experience had been in Cessna and Piper aircraft, which feature a different control layout than the Bolkow Junior. Specifically, the pilot was accustomed to operating the control column with the left hand and the throttle with the right, whereas the Bolkow Junior operates in the opposite manner.
Investigators also looked into the role of the passenger. While the passenger was experienced on the type, they were not a qualified flight instructor and had no experience performing takeoffs or landings from the right-hand seat. The investigation assessed whether the pilot's perception of being under supervision influenced his decision-making during the high approach.
Findings
- The pilot's approach on the fourth circuit was higher than previous approaches.
- The aircraft encountered sink just above the runway, leading to a heavy nose-first landing.
- The pilot's lack of familiarity with the reversed control layout of the aircraft may have led to inappropriate control inputs during the landing phase.
- The presence of an experienced passenger, while intended as a safety measure by the insurer, created a false sense of supervision for the pilot.
- The passenger was not qualified to intervene effectively, as they lacked instructor training and experience in the right-hand seat.